Last Energy nuclear project in South Wales faces heightened opposition

Friends of the Earth Cymru and local campaigners have intensified their opposition to Last Energy's plan to build four 20‑megawatt micro‑modular reactors at Cwm Llynfi, a valley near Maesteg in South Wales. The site, formerly occupied by the Llyfni coal‑fired power station, is slated to host the "Prosiect Egni Glan Llynfi" project, which Last Energy UK says will power 250,000 homes and create about 100 local jobs, financed with £300 million of private funding.

Last Energy UK entered the site‑licensing process in February 2025, the first commercial nuclear reactor to do so since 1978. CEO Michael Jenner called the step a "critical milestone" for scaling nuclear power in the UK. However, after a Preliminary Design Review by the Office for Nuclear Regulation, the company now expects licensing to be granted only by December 2027, pushing back its original 2027 construction target.

Opponents argue the development poses long‑term environmental risks and will not directly benefit the community. A petition organized by the No Nuclear Llyfni group has gathered nearly 1,500 signatures, urging the project to be halted. The campaign highlights broader concerns about nuclear safety, waste, and the belief that the valley deserves cleaner energy solutions.